What is Energy Efficiency Score?
An energy usage benchmark compares your energy consumption against similar US properties to identify waste and saving opportunities.
The Formula
Efficiency = (Average Consumption − Your Consumption) ÷ Average Consumption × 100
Worked Example
A 3-bed home uses 9,000 kWh electricity and 50 MMBtu heating. US average: 10,500 kWh and 60 MMBtu.
- Electricity saving: (10,500 − 9,000) ÷ 10,500 = 14.3% below average
- Heating saving: (60 − 50) ÷ 60 = 16.7% below average
- Combined: (14.3 + 16.7) ÷ 2 = 15.5% more efficient
📌 The home is 15.5% more efficient than similar properties with further gains possible from a smart thermostat and air sealing.
Why This Matters
Cost reduction
US households spend $2,000-2,800 on energy annually (EIA). A 20% improvement saves $400-560 per year. EIA RECS data shows that households in the top quintile for energy efficiency spend $1,100-1,400 less annually than those in the bottom quintile with comparable square footage, a gap that compounds with rising utility rates.
HERS rating
Energy efficiency impacts your HERS Index score, affecting property value and buyer appeal. A lower HERS score means a more efficient home. DOE and Zillow research shows that homes with HERS scores below 70 command an average 3-5% sale price premium and spend 12 fewer days on market compared to similar homes with HERS scores above 100.
Carbon footprint
The average US home produces 7.5 tonnes CO₂ annually. Efficiency improvements make the largest single impact on household emissions. EIA data confirms that a comprehensive home efficiency upgrade, including insulation, HVAC, and air sealing, reduces household carbon output by an average of 2.5-4.0 tonnes per year, equivalent to eliminating one passenger vehicle.
Common Mistakes
❌ Comparing different property types
A detached house uses more energy than a condo. Benchmark against similar types, sizes, and climate zones. EIA RECS data shows that energy use per square foot varies 40-60% across US climate zones, meaning a Dallas home and a Minneapolis home of equal size will have vastly different benchmark targets for heating energy consumption.
❌ Ignoring seasonal patterns
Most savings come from winter heating and summer cooling. Focus investments on peak-demand months for your climate zone. EIA consumption data shows that heating and cooling account for 47% of total annual US home energy use, with the majority concentrated in 4-5 months, making seasonal targeting critical for maximum dollar savings.
❌ Overlooking standby power
Standby consumption accounts for 5-10% of electricity bills. Smart power strips reduce this phantom load. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory research estimates that standby power from always-on electronics costs the average US household $100-200 per year, recoverable at near-zero cost through power management habits and smart strips.
Industry Benchmarks
| Category | Good | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity (3-bed) | Below 8,000 kWh | 8,000-12,000 kWh | Above 15,000 kWh |
| Heating (3-bed) | Below 40 MMBtu | 40-70 MMBtu | Above 90 MMBtu |
| HERS Index | Below 60 | 60-100 | Above 130 |
Source: EIA Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) 2026
Benchmark data sourced from EIA Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) 2026.